MODERN ARCHITECTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20563, 14 May 1930, Page 13

MODERN ARCHITECTURE

AMERICAN DEVELOPMENTS*

ERECTION OF " SKYSCRAPERS.* 1

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED.

Impressions of tho modern trend in architecture in tho United States as observed during a recent tour were given by Mr. C. Trevithick at a public lecture delivered last evening in tho University College under tho auspices of tho New Zealand Institute of Architects.

Tho problems of tho architect and tho contractor in planning and erecting tho huge " skyscrapers " that towered up 70 and 80 storeys were touched on first by Mr. Trevithick, who said that the first consideration was tho position of tho elevators. It was of tho utmost importance that tho tenants should bo moved to their respective floors with the maximum of convenience and speed. In some of the office buildings the normal number of people in the building when all offices were occupied amounted in sonic instances to 16,000, and it could safely bo assumed that many thousands of people apart from the tenants called at the building daily. Access to Elevators. The amount of space taken up for access to tho elevators could be thus seen to bo very considerable, and it could bo realised that a tall building on a restricted site could lose its value as a commercial proposition through the relatively small proportion of the area on each floor for rental purposes left after allowing for tho necessary space for access. The speed of the elevators to the first 15 floors was very little greater than the fastest in. New Zealand, but the " expresses " travelled at from 900 ft. to 1000 ft. a minute, and their construction was such that there was no feeling of excessive speed. Another great difficulty was the destruction of previous buildings standing on the site, themselves often huge. The underpinning on restricted sites adjoining large buildings called for the greatest skill. For the external finishings of buildings facing bricks of every colour and texture were used and delightful effects were obtained. Great care was taken in the finishing of concrete floors. Terrazzo was in evidence everywhere, and the uso of brass strips cutting tho terrazzo into geometrical designs was very effective. In some cases, both exterior and interior surfaces of concrete buildings were left quite plain after the boxing was taken off except that the concrete was tinted. Clean-Cut Lines ol Buildings.

The building were characterised by clean-cut lines, tall pilasters which carried the eye from the ground to the skyline and interesting relief work which for tlio most part was cast in place. Stencilled designs in bright colours on the exposed concrete beams and ceiling slabs were to be seen in a great many cases.

While hardly an architectural question the problem of beautifying cemeteries had been solved by many American cities which made their cemeteries delightful parka with beautiful trees and drives and groups of statuary and fountains. There was no sign whatever of dilapidated railings and untidy lots, or multitudes of tombstones of every size, shape and degree of merit. It was just one glorious park. > No tombstones were allowed. The grave of every one buried there, whether rich or poor, simply had a small stone slab with particulars engraved on it, and the slab was flush with the ground. The motor mower kept the grass cut short everywhere. Mr. Trevithick could not help making a comparison between those fine parks and the slopes of Purewa or Waikumete. In his opinion the Americans in that case had solved very happily a very difficult problem.